Iona
Site Significance: 1
Iona is often regarded as a cradle of Scottish Christianity, rooted in the arrival of St Columba and his followers in AD 563. From that time the island became a centre of monastic life, worship, and Christian influence across Scotland and beyond. Iona Abbey, with its ancient church, cloisters and carved stones, stands as a lasting witness to centuries of faithful Christian service.
Type of site: Abbey/Monastery/Priory
Ownership: Historic Environment Scotland
Website (if known): https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/
Facilities
Parking:
Accessibility: Step-free access via the cloister entrance gives access to the Abbey Church nave. The approach from the pier is along a 600 metre (≈ 0.4 mile) road uphill — for those with limited mobility, a taxi service is available (and can accommodate folded wheelchairs).
There are no toilets on the abbey site itself. Nearest public toilets are located at the Iona Community shop / Welcome Centre near the pier
Refreshments:
Accommodation: The Iona Community offers guest accommodation in refurbished living quarters adjacent to the Abbey Church: a mixture of single, twin, triple and quadruple rooms; some rooms and bathrooms are accessible.
Getting there
Address: Iona Abbey
Isle of Iona
Argyll
PA76 6SQ
Co-ordinates: Latitude: 56.33500000 Longitude: -6.39140000